1/0 Battery Cables
05-13-2014, 12:18 PM
#11
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Location: Perry Lake, KS Lake of Ozarks
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Double 1/0 on such a short run between batteries is a waste for almost every application I can think of.
Upsize cable to carry high amperage or reduce resistance over a distance. There would be no draw on a boat between two batteries such a short distance that would necessitate a double run. Especially if the load being carried off is only using 4ga.
Are these your start batteries? stereo bank?
System would be better served with 1/0 neg going to block given the high amp load an engine starter can demand.
1/0 should be used throughout the switch if that is how positive charge is distributed to engine starter.
The other 1/0 should be for pos/neg stereo if you are over 1500w.
4 ga should be plenty overkill for an alt unless you are over 200A as it should be for the 2' between batteries.
Upsize cable to carry high amperage or reduce resistance over a distance. There would be no draw on a boat between two batteries such a short distance that would necessitate a double run. Especially if the load being carried off is only using 4ga.
Are these your start batteries? stereo bank?
System would be better served with 1/0 neg going to block given the high amp load an engine starter can demand.
1/0 should be used throughout the switch if that is how positive charge is distributed to engine starter.
The other 1/0 should be for pos/neg stereo if you are over 1500w.
4 ga should be plenty overkill for an alt unless you are over 200A as it should be for the 2' between batteries.
05-13-2014, 01:05 PM
#12
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Double 1/0 on such a short run between batteries is a waste for almost every application I can think of.
Upsize cable to carry high amperage or reduce resistance over a distance. There would be no draw on a boat between two batteries such a short distance that would necessitate a double run. Especially if the load being carried off is only using 4ga.
Are these your start batteries? stereo bank?
System would be better served with 1/0 neg going to block given the high amp load an engine starter can demand.
1/0 should be used throughout the switch if that is how positive charge is distributed to engine starter.
The other 1/0 should be for pos/neg stereo if you are over 1500w.
4 ga should be plenty overkill for an alt unless you are over 200A as it should be for the 2' between batteries.
Upsize cable to carry high amperage or reduce resistance over a distance. There would be no draw on a boat between two batteries such a short distance that would necessitate a double run. Especially if the load being carried off is only using 4ga.
Are these your start batteries? stereo bank?
System would be better served with 1/0 neg going to block given the high amp load an engine starter can demand.
1/0 should be used throughout the switch if that is how positive charge is distributed to engine starter.
The other 1/0 should be for pos/neg stereo if you are over 1500w.
4 ga should be plenty overkill for an alt unless you are over 200A as it should be for the 2' between batteries.
Guess I want it done right so there are no more worries (In the near future)
05-14-2014, 09:20 AM
#13
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Judging from the boat in your sig, single engine.
Assuming these are the only two batteries on the boat?
I would run neg 1/0 between block and starter. back to neg terminal. Between battery neg's can be 4ga but since you have the 1/0 cut, fine as long as you are not running big stereo. (this is all assuming you want to use only the new terminal connections and are not using the posts for anything)
If running over 1500w stereo, you need 1/0 to the stereo distribution block.
Run pos 1/0 from each battery to your switch and then on to the starter if you have 1,2,both switch. If you have on/off only then combine the batts with either 4 ga or 1/0. Same stereo connections as neg.
4ga up to the panel is WAY overkill unless you are running up to 1000w stereo off the same lead too but wont hurt. Factory is usually 10ga, I would not be opposed to 8ga. Don't forget equal neg back.
I would not recommend running stereo amps off the primary panel regardless. Amps generate extra, extended heat that tends to make connections fail. IF one of these connections fail, all power to the panel can be lost instead of just stereo.
Use di-electric grease on all connections to minimize corrosive effects even when using tinned wire.
..........Looking back at your last pic, I see a 1/0 neg on the post already. Take my advice for what it is. There are many ways to set up the electrical depending on your equipment and intentions.
We need a lot more info on your overall components, draw requirements and expectations. I can say 99.999%, double 1/0 between two batteries is a waste beyond overkill. The pos parallel is a possible setup but not often used if you have a 3 way switch?
Assuming these are the only two batteries on the boat?
I would run neg 1/0 between block and starter. back to neg terminal. Between battery neg's can be 4ga but since you have the 1/0 cut, fine as long as you are not running big stereo. (this is all assuming you want to use only the new terminal connections and are not using the posts for anything)
If running over 1500w stereo, you need 1/0 to the stereo distribution block.
Run pos 1/0 from each battery to your switch and then on to the starter if you have 1,2,both switch. If you have on/off only then combine the batts with either 4 ga or 1/0. Same stereo connections as neg.
4ga up to the panel is WAY overkill unless you are running up to 1000w stereo off the same lead too but wont hurt. Factory is usually 10ga, I would not be opposed to 8ga. Don't forget equal neg back.
I would not recommend running stereo amps off the primary panel regardless. Amps generate extra, extended heat that tends to make connections fail. IF one of these connections fail, all power to the panel can be lost instead of just stereo.
Use di-electric grease on all connections to minimize corrosive effects even when using tinned wire.
..........Looking back at your last pic, I see a 1/0 neg on the post already. Take my advice for what it is. There are many ways to set up the electrical depending on your equipment and intentions.
We need a lot more info on your overall components, draw requirements and expectations. I can say 99.999%, double 1/0 between two batteries is a waste beyond overkill. The pos parallel is a possible setup but not often used if you have a 3 way switch?
Last edited by ChargeIt; 05-14-2014 at 09:24 AM.
05-14-2014, 10:04 AM
#14
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Yes this is a single engine 502, and if I run my current setup as seen below I can not isolate each battery with my switch, With that said I am going to rub 1/0 cable from each positive to the switch then run 4 Gauge from the the batteries to the panel where I am going to install a new fuse/ breaker panel.
Is is overkill... Probably, but I want to avoid any future electrical problems and know that I can add devices in the future and not worry about overloading the wire
Is is overkill... Probably, but I want to avoid any future electrical problems and know that I can add devices in the future and not worry about overloading the wire
Last edited by inspector747; 05-14-2014 at 10:07 AM.
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